Maties from near and far come to celebrate 75th anniversary of SU Choir

Nearly a hundred years of beautiful singing voices, excellence and dedication was celebrated this weekend with two special reunion concerts commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Stellenbosch University Choir.

A highlight of the weekend came when the SU Choir - old and current members -took to the stage to sing Come Again Sweet Day te sing. (Photo: Anton Jordaan, SCPS)

The celebrations were kicked off with a welcoming concert in the Endler Hall where recognition was given to the seven choir-masters over the past year. Mr André van der Merwe is the current choir-master.

Choir members – young and old – came from all corners of the globe to attend the reunion weekend. The ‘old’ came in the shape of Ms Frieda Holzapfel (96) from Paarl who in 1936 took part in the first choir practice with Mr William Morris at the helm. Her friend Ms Gretha Gereicke (93) came with her to share in the anniversary celebrations. According to Ms Lydia Meier, choir manager, choir members from as far as Germany and Switzerland attended the reunion.

A highlight of the weekend was when old and current members of the SU Choir took to the stage to sing Come Again Sweet Day. The reunion concert was held in the Kruiskerk on Saturday where current choir members as well as a choir consisting of members over the age of 75 years let their voices be heard. The Reunion Choir consisting of old and current choir members ended off the concert.

The reunion weekend drew to a close with a performance by the Reunion Choir in the Dutch Reformed Church Welgelegen in Dalsig, Stellenbosch.

In 2010 – after their recent success at the World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China, the Stellenbosch University (SU) Choir conducted by André van der Merwe, was awarded second place on the authoritative Interkultur Musica Mundi world ranking list. This is the highest position any choir from South Africa has ever been awarded.